September 13, 2005

Environmental education workshops planned

by Kristen Wells

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Teachers throughout Southern Illinois can take advantage of free environmental education workshops, which will certify them to incorporate Project WILD environmental activities into their school curriculum.

Project WILD is a national environmental education program widely used among educators of students in kindergarten through high school. The Department of Natural Resources sponsors Project WILD in Illinois.

The Beautify Southern Illinois Regional Campaign and community colleges throughout Southern Illinois are coordinating these environmental education workshops. Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Center for Environmental Health and Safety is assisting in the regional campaign, founded by former SIU Board of Trustees Chair Glenn Poshard.

Serving others is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it observes its 150th anniversary in 2019.

Kindergarten through eighth grade educators, teacher's aides, college students and environmental educators are welcome to attend these workshops. Classroom teachers will receive continuing professional development units. College credits are available.

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Media Advisory

Reporters and photographers are welcome to cover the Sept. 21 event at John A. Logan College. All of the sponsors and speakers will attend this workshop. For more information, please contact Jennae DuBois at 618/453-7180

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Here are the workshop dates and locations:

• Sept. 21 – John A. Logan College in Carterville. The workshop will take place in the Conference Center Room F105. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will wrap up by 3:30 p.m.

• Sept. 30 – Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg. The workshop will take place in the Conference Center Private Dining Room. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will wrap up by 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 618/252-5400, ext. 224.

• Oct. 3 – Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville. The workshop will take place at the college on the PSOP site in Belleville. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will end by 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 618/222-5393.

• Oct. 7 – Shawnee Community College in Ullin. This workshop is in conjunction with the Alexander/Johnson/Massac/Pulaski/Union Regional Office of Education's teacher's institute. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the workshop will wrap up by 4 p.m. For more information, call Noelene Levill at 618/634-2292.

These workshops will provide environmental class projects, training aids, classroom resources, grant information and a presentation on service learning by the U of I Extension Office.

Funding for the workshops comes from the U.S. Forest Service, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the local Kiwanis Club. These sponsors help provide many resources, free registration and meals. The Beautify Southern Illinois Campaign, Land for Learning, Giant City State Park, and the U of I Extension are teaming up to provide educators with the most encompassing information about the many environmental education programs offered throughout Southern Illinois.

For more information, contact Jennae DuBois at 618/453-7180 or jdubois@cehs.siu.edu.

These workshops will help achieve the goal of developing a comprehensive long-range strategy for assisting schools in implementing educational initiatives, which create positive environmental awareness and participation in maintaining a clean community.